Device and method for the manipulation of organs

Abstract

A manipulation mechanism that can be attached to the heart and other organs of the body so that the organs can be positioned, lifted, turned and held in place during diagnosis, testing, treatment and surgical procedures on the organs.

1. A device for internal organ manipulation comprising:
 a housing having a top surface; and  
 at least one portion of the housing being adapted for adherence to any surface of any internal organ, whereby the at least one portion of the housing adheres the device to the organ and whereby the device is used to lift, position, move and otherwise manipulate the internal organ;  
 wherein at least two portions of the housing are adapted for adherence to any surface of an organ such that the at least two portions form multiple, independent seals on the internal organ surface;  
 further comprising one or more apertures in the housing through which a source of differential pressure is used in connection with the housing, whereby the source of differential pressure assists the housing in adhering to the organ;  
 wherein the one or more apertures are positioned such that each multiple, independent seal formed by the at least two portions is assisted by the differential pressure source;  
 wherein the differential pressure provided to each multiple, independent seal is independent of the differential pressure provided to the other multiple, independent seals; and  
 wherein a single source of differential pressure provides each multiple, independent seal with differential pressure and wherein the differential pressure provided to each seal is made independent by positioning valves in line with each aperture.  
 
   
   
     2. A device for internal organ manipulation comprising:
 a housing having a top surface; and  
 at least one portion of the housing being adapted for adherence to any surface of any internal organs whereby the at least one portion of the housing adheres the device to the organ and whereby the device is used to lift, position, move and otherwise manipulate the internal organ;  
 wherein at least two portions of the housing are adapted for adherence to any surface of an organ such that the at least two portions form multiple, independent seals on the internal organ surface;  
 further comprising one or more apertures in the housing through which a source of differential pressure is used in connection with the housing, whereby the source of differential pressure assists the housing in adhering to the organ;  
 wherein the one or more apertures are positioned such that each multiple, independent seal formed by the at least two portions is assisted by the differential pressure source;  
 wherein the differential pressure provided to each multiple, independent seal is independent of the differential pressure provided to the other multiple, independent seals; and  
 further comprising a parent tube or lumen extending from the differential pressure source and independent daughter tubes or lumens extending from the parent tube to each aperture.  
 
   
   
     3. The device of  claim 2 , wherein a single source of differential pressure provides each multiple, independent seal with differential pressure and wherein the differential pressure provided to each seal made independent by making the diameter of each daughter tube less than the diameter of the parent tube. 
   
   
     4. The device of  claim 3 , wherein the diameter of the parent tube is at least double the diameter of each daughter tube. 
   
   
     5. A device for internal organ manipulation comprising:
 a housing having a top surface; and  
 at least one portion of the housing being adapted for adherence to any surface of any internal organ, whereby the at least one portion of the housing adheres the device to the organ and whereby the device is used to lift, position, move and otherwise manipulate the internal organ; and  
 further comprising a gel or flexible film within the housing, whereby, as the housing is applied to an internal organ surface, the gel or flexible film is released from the housing to the at least one portions of the housing adapted for adherence to any surface of any internal organ.  
 
   
   
     6. A device for internal organ manipulation comprising:
 a housing having a top surface; and  
 at least one portion of the housing being adapted for adherence to any surface of any internal organ, whereby the at least one portion of the housing adheres the device to the organ and whereby the device is used to lift, position, move and otherwise manipulate the internal organ;  
 wherein the housing includes at least two ends and wherein the device further comprises a spreading mechanism for moving the ends of the housing away from each other.  
 
   
   
     7. The device of  claim 6 , wherein the spreading mechanism comprises a hinge located between the ends. 
   
   
     8. The device of  claim 6 , wherein the spreading mechanism comprises at least two extensions from the housing that are pushed to spread the ends of the housing away from each other. 
   
   
     9. The device of  claim 6 , further comprising a connection mechanism and a holding mechanism, whereby the connection mechanism attaches the device to the holding mechanism during use. 
   
   
     10. The device of  claim 9 , wherein the connection mechanism is mounted on an attachment mechanism that extends from the top surface of the housing. 
   
   
     11. The device of  claim 10 , wherein the attachment mechanism is flexible along its length, whereby the flexibility along the length of the attachment mechanism allows energy absorption and multidirectional movement of the housing as the internal organ moves. 
   
   
     12. The device of  claim 11 , whereby the attachment mechanism has at least a ribbed portion along its length. 
   
   
     13. The device of  claim 9 , wherein the connection mechanism comprises a connector that is mounted on the housing and is rotatable with respect to the housing. 
   
   
     14. The device of  claim 13 , wherein the connection mechanism further comprises a bushing, whereby the bushing is mounted on the housing and the connector is mounted on the bushing and whereby the bushing and connector are rotatable with respect to each other. 
   
   
     15. The device of  claim 14 , wherein the connector includes at least one groove along its inner surface and the bushing includes at least one protrusion, whereby the at least one protrusion fits within the at least one groove to prevent rotational movement between connector and bushing. 
   
   
     16. The device of  claim 15 , wherein the connector and bushing are rotatable with respect to each other until a sufficient downward force is applied to the housing and connection mechanism. 
   
   
     17. The device of  claim 16 , whereby upon removal of the sufficient downward force, the one or more protrusions are released from the one or more grooves such that the connector and bushing are rotatable with respect to each other. 
   
   
     18. The device of  claim 6 , wherein the top surface of the housing has an overall multi arm shape.